Mood vs emotions: Related, but not the same
KUALA LUMPUR: For the layman, one might think that mood and emotions are the same thing but guess what, they are not.
MY Psychology psychologist and therapist Au Wei Yin said there is a big difference between emotion and mood, where the former is how we react to something while the latter is how one would rate the whole day.
“There are three factors that influence mood, which are biological, psychological and social.
“In terms of bio, it can be lack of neurotransmitters, hormones or history while psychological relates to what is in our heart. Basically, how do we feel, how we think and experience something.
“For social, it relates to our connection with others. For instance, during lockdown period (during the Covid-19 pandemic), we lack human connection so our mood probably goes downhill,” she said.
Au said in order to manage mood, it is important to have proper nutrients as well as perform exercises to increase serotonin in the body.
"Human beings experience a wide array of emotions—happiness, sadness, anger, shame, disgust, and more. While these emotions are typically short-lived, they can accumulate and influence our mood if not regulated effectively.
“Prolonged unregulated negative moods can potentially lead to more serious mental health issues.
“Do a comparison, if you wake up early, eat better then probably your mood will be better but if it is the opposite, your mood will probably decline. Managing ourselves could manage our mood as it is interconnected,” she said.
In the sharing session with content creator Jenn Chia, Chia said that mood is how she would rate the whole day, while emotion is how she reacts to something.
“For me, emotion is like the ingredients of a hotpot, combination of the good ingredients will make up your mood.
“Emotions such as anger, happiness and sadness are very short-lived and it comes and goes while mood lingers a bit longer,” she said.
The sharing session between Chia and Au was one of the agenda during the recent LAC Malaysia ‘In the Mood with Jenn Chia’ event held here.
During the event, LAC Malaysia raise awareness about the importance of understanding mood, an aspect often underestimated in our lives but possesses a significant impact.
The event seamlessly blended zen and well-being, where participants were given unique experience centred around emotions, moods and holistic well-being through education on the meaning and intricacies of mood, practical tips like yoga and supplements to empower individuals to control their mood regulation.
The day started with a community yoga session led by Chia, who is also a certified yoga instructor with a passion cultivated since the days of the pandemic.
"Yoga has been my personal sanctuary and I feel privileged to extend this transformative journey to others, guiding them toward inner peace and overall well-being. In our fast-paced, time-pressed modern lifestyle, finding moments for ourselves can be challenging.
“Besides the movement aspect, which I discovered in yoga, our nutrition also plays a crucial role.
“Finally, we barely scratched the surface of the profound impact of mood and emotions, which essentially shape our day – determining whether it’s a good mood day or not,” Chia said.
Following the yoga session, participants delved into the intricate connection between diet, emotions and mood with LAC Malaysia certified nutritionist Cynthia Jetan.
Jetan emphasised the profound link between what we eat and how we feel.
"While it's no surprise that our diet is closely related to our overall well-being, the relentless demands of time and daily pressures often lead us to overlook the subtle nuances and consequences of an irregular diet.
“Take, for instance, the 'hangry' sensation when low blood sugar strikes—it's not merely a fleeting emotion but a signal of the vital role food plays in nurturing not just the body but the mind and soul,” she said.
Within the session, participants received guidance on the judicious use of supplements to optimise their lives.
"Supplements don't replace our daily meals; rather, they serve as valuable additions to enhance the functioning of our lives," Jetan said.
She stressed the importance of maintaining a regular and optimum diet, acknowledging that, at times, our bodies may struggle to absorb all the necessary nutrients from our meals.
In such instances, she said supplements step in to bridge the nutritional gap and support our overall well-being.
During the event, LAC Malaysia also unveiled its M.R.X—an all-natural supplement designed to support mood regulation.
The new wellness supplement addressed various aspects of mood health with ingredients including Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract for enhanced resilience and energy levels, alongside Omega-3 Fatty Acids from life'sDHA® Algae Extract to boost mood, heart health and overall well-being.
Complementing these are KSM-66® Ashwagandha Root Extract, Chamomile Flower Extract, Lemon Balm Extract, Rice Bran, Green Tea Leaf Extract, and Jujube Seed Extract, each contributing to a variety of health benefits.
